Misgivings (Rewritten)

The search for survivors hadn't taken long. They had cleared a couple of rooms and a few 'greys', a term coined by one of the cellies. This time Levi had tried to leave the combat to the group, with mixed success. Not all of them took to combat well.

There were two that stood out in particular. One was the heavyset dark-skinned man named Garett, and the other was Eric. Eric was the one that surprised him the most, but he had a kind of ruthless desperation that the others didn't have, Garett on the other hand always never got swept up by his emotions.

The survivor was an officer named Bernard they'd found hidden in a utility cupboard, but he wasn't all there. Levi suspected if he gave him a loaded pistol it would be a toss-up whether he'd put it in his own mouth and pull the trigger. So they ended up getting no real information from him. Marcus, the old man, lumped with the near-comatose officer.

They kept on and didn't meet any real resistance, only small clusters of trapped infected stuck in rooms. But they did find the evidence lock-up.

Levi attempted to open the door , but found it locked, no surprise really. "Bernard, got a key or something?" asked Levi, unsurprised by the frantic shake of the head. "Okay, hard way it is. Everyone get ready," said Levi, pointing his pistol at the lock.

"Wait!" somebody shouted from inside. Levi stepped back and kept his gun pointed at the silhouette behind the door. There was a click, and the door opened revealing a pale officer who went whiter still seeing the gun in his face.

"Friendly," he said with a disarming smile, sweat running down his forehead. Levi didn't lower his gun, instead, his eyes lingered on a bloody patch on his jacket. He didn't miss how he shifted away after he looked at it, and met his gaze that now radiated caution; his hand slithering towards his holstered pistol.

"What's your wound?" Levi asked, the others' attention confused by the sudden tension, more than one person reaching for a gun.

"I got grazed by a bullet in the crossfire," the man said, the defensive answer doing nothing to alleviate the atmosphere.

"Well you oughta get that patched up, it's bleeding bad," Levi said, a knowing look as he lowered his gun. The man nodded back with a stiff expression, as Levi strolled into the room as if he wasn't there. Followed soon after by everyone else, who peered at the officer.

The lock-up made the groups' eyes light up. Their eyes set on the boxes of confiscated items organised in the well-conditioned room. Filled with all manner of assorted narcotics, firearms and other illegal items.

But Levi's eyes were only drawn to a rather inconspicuous blade. Hidden in an ornately decorated black leather sheath with only a red grip visible.

Levi was content as he grasped the blade within his calloused hands, the tough wrap of the handle brushing against his palm. He unsheathed it, allowing a well-maintained blade to glimmer before it disappeared and was placed snugly against Levi's waist.

The rest were also having a field day as they riffled through the room, giddy like children on Christmas morning. But there was a heaviness. These weren't toys. They were weapons. Weapons they would have to use.

Levi also looked around after grabbing his katana, picking up a Bowie knife that had caught his eye but stopped admiring it to look at Garett who now stood before him. "What's up with Vaguez?" he asked, getting a confused look from Levi. "The officer from the door, that's his name. I just spoke with him. Something's not right with him, he's on edge. Guarded. You know something right? Something you ain't told us."

"Hmm, is that so?" said Levi, eyeing his stern face. "I don't know anything… But I have a couple of guesses."

"Which are?" pressed Garett.

"These Greys, or whatever you wanna call them, can spread by bite," replied Levi, watching the cogs slot into place, Garett's grasp tightening on the baseball bat in his hands. "Don't get too antsy. They don't turn in an instant. If he's going you'll know," the grasp not loosening. "Watch him for me, don't leave him on his own, alright?" Garett was hesitant but agreed. "Great. That's sorted then."

After that Levi looked around for anything else interesting but found nothing, instead walking over to Vaguez while he waited for the others to sort themselves out. He tensed up when Levi stood beside him but smiled trying not to show it. "All patched up?" Levi asked.

Vaguez nodded. "Then I want to ask you about what happened here? And if you know what's happening to the city?"

"I don't know anything for certain. But others on the force thought it was some kind of drug, maybe that new one that started coming out from New Mexico. We got the first cases maybe four days ago," Vaguez said, his hand unconsciously reaching towards his bandage. "Couple of bad cases, real nasty murders in seedy areas, but most of it was kept hush. If you were there you knew, if you weren't they wouldn't tell you."

"Four days, huh? Just appeared out of nowhere?" asked Levi, making him pause but nod.

"There were rumblings along the grapevine. A few police officers spoke about friends in other areas dealing with weird cases. But that can't have been any earlier than a week ago," he replied. "But it only started getting bad when the flu started spreading. Started innocuous enough a couple days ago, but by this morning hospitals got swamped with patients. That's when the weird orders started to come through."

"What orders?"

"Officers assigned to escort VIPs, detachments stationed at hospitals or government buildings that kinda shit. The commander even told the operators to stop responding to certain calls," said Vaguez.

"Military not involved yet?"

"We've heard rumours they might come to Boston, but I didn't hear anything. But I heard about the military setting up quarantines in Kentucky and a couple of other states not long ago. That's about all I know," Vaguez finished, Levi nodded. "But be careful up ahead, most of us were in a meeting when we got attacked. When we ran out we locked the doors but I'll bet there are still loads inside."

"I appreciate that. When we're coming up to it you can point it out to us," replied Levi, before turning around to the rest of the group, most already got what they wanted.

"Last minute to grab what you want. We're leaving," Levi shouted, ignoring the protests and walking out of the room.

—

"Do you think this will work?" asked Ricky, for the millionth time. I let out a small sigh. My answer had been the same for the previous million times.

"Do I look like a prophet? You're starting to piss me off. Ask one more time, and I'll slap the shit out of you," my answer was more aggressive than I'd imagined, but his smile told me he didn't care. It would take more than that to upset Ricky.

"Haha, I'm nervous, y'know. Wouldn't want to end up like one of these poor bastards." his smile dimmed. And I knew how he felt. Anything had to be better than the state we'd seen some of these bodies. I had seen my fair share of fucked up things, but seeing people half-eaten was near the top.

"Tch, you got that right. If you don't want that to happen, let's damn well make sure these barricades are solid," this plan seemed as good as any, but our barricade-building abilities didn't fill me with confidence. I was doubtful they'd last long when those fuckers smashed into them. But I guess I was as confident as I could be. Everyone's life was on the line after all.

"Elise, you finish setting up shit to trip 'em," I shouted. The girl nodded back with nauseating brightness. She was a positive one. She recovered quicker than most had. Her presence gave us a lift. She wasn't the type you'd imagine locked up. But as we interacted, she let slip that she was in here for drunk driving. She'd hit a lamppost while celebrating her 19th birthday.

She wasn't a bad kid but not much help hauling heavy shit to create barricades. But she'd found her own way to help, setting up trips. At least she managed to be useful, at least more than Vaguez; who'd become ill.

I'd been watching him. Levi had said he might be infected, and looking at him now that was probably true. He'd told me that if he were to pass out, to drag him away and deal with him, which I found cold, but he was a threat.

The others were good enough. Sergio was a rat-looking Mexican. With sleazy, slicked-back hair, a sneaky face and a handlebar moustache. Smart enough, good at talking but too slimy for me to be around. He had the look of a career criminal, although he claimed he was only in for minor charges.

Marcus was an old bastard who somehow ended up arrested. He had the look of a wealthy landowner, with grey hair and high features concealed by his trimmed beard. He had a look of self-confidence and maturity found only in people past their prime. He wasn't very much talkative, but he let loose that he owned some real estate in Concord outside the city.

Then there was Eddie, as swole as they come, all 5ft10 of the man. He was huge, the muscles on the man unnatural, and he likely was taking some PEDs, which explained his attitude. Out of everyone, he seemed the most unstable. Looking like he'd snap and swing at whoever looked at him wrong. Again he wasn't the most sociable, but he was agreeable enough, at least for now.

The last of the inmates was Eric. He seemed sketchy as hell. As thin as they come, face more akin to a skeleton than an actual human being. He had a head of thick black hair that was greasy, and his whole appearance screamed he didn't take care of himself much. But from the scratching of his wrist, I had a good inkling why he was placed in here. Well, that and him sneaking heroin when he thought nobody was looking.

Then the last was Bernie or Bernard. He had the look of an honest straight-laced officer, or he would've done if it weren't for his empty gaze. We'd only got a few words at the pressing of Levi earlier but more out of fear than anything. He seemed scarred by what'd happened, at least Vaguez seemed to get him to speak a bit.

"Do you reckon..." Ricky said, making me glower at him.

"What did I say, Ricky?" that got an embarrassed look. Before he spoke again.

"What do you think of the swordsman guy?" This time his question was somewhat different.

I thought for a moment before I said, "He's dangerous."

Getting an interested look from Elise and Sergio, who had overheard me. "Garett, that much is obvious," Ricky said.

"Yeah, it is. Reckon the guy's killed before. Maybe he was in the military or something. The guy was unfazed by everything. I was watching him. His eyes never wavered. Like he'd seen it all before, I don't know what you have to do to become like that, but chances are the guy's damaged goods." I said, Ricky's and Elise's eyes widening, while Sergio nodded.

"He smiled, his face changed, his voice changed, but his eyes never changed once. The same detached unblinking eyes. I don't know what's up with the man, but with whatever's going on, it's best to stick with him," I continued, making some people think before I heard footsteps from the corridor.

From the direction of the sound, Levi appeared, his clothes now even more bloody as he bypassed the barricade. Standing close by, he gave me a glance before saying. "I've looked around. I took out a few. Inside the conference hall, I saw around twenty," making me sweat at the number.

He then waved his arms, drawing my gaze as he grabbed a gun and continued, "I've left the door open, but twenty shouldn't be too much of a challenge. Besides, If things go to shit, you can hide in the nearby rooms and I'll take them out one by one. For now, though. Let's not put it off."

His words made my heart pound as he pointed the pistol towards the ceiling with a smile of amusement. He caught our looks of apprehension and, without consideration, pressed the trigger, causing a bang to ring out–making several people exclaim.

But the gunshot was soon forgotten. As the thumping sound of heavy footsteps became audible. Soon several greys smashed into the corner wall and scrambled over themselves towards us, making my heart lurch. Then I heard Levi speak, and I turned and met his eyes.

"Let the fun begin." his eyes changed for the first time, they glowed with anticipation.